The business has signed up to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s (GLAA) new construction protocol, which is a joint agreement between the GLAA and private sector organisations to prevent and protect workers from abusive or exploitative practices.
By signing up to the protocol, companies and contractors commit to working with the GLAA to highlight any ill-treatment and ensure that workers are safeguarded against abuse in the future.
“Raising awareness of labour exploitation to eradicate abuse and protect employees in the construction sector is critical, and supporting the GLAA’s construction protocol is part of our continuing commitment to helping the industry address this issue,” said Tarmac’s Sustainability Director Dr Martyn Kenny.
“Every industry must come together to eliminate modern slavery, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all workers.
“Construction offers exciting and diverse career opportunities, so it is important that we continue to build an industry that attracts the best talent the UK has to offer in a safe and ethical environment,” added Dr Kenny.
“We look forward to working with the other organisations in the partnership to promote the cause, and we will be encouraging other employers in the sector to sign up.”
The other signatories to the protocol include Morgan Sindall, the Chartered Institute of Building and Willmott Dixon.
“When it comes to exploitation there are huge profits to be made for those unscrupulous enough to exploit vulnerable workers,” said the GLAA’s Interim Chief Executive Roger Bannister.
“But the signing of this protocol sends out a message that the construction industry is not prepared to sit back and allow itself to be infiltrated by those who trade people as a commodity and will take action to prevent labour exploitation.
“The GLAA is the enemy of illegitimate working practices and criminality, and a friend to legitimate business targeted by those who commit exploitation.”
For more information on the protocol and the GLAA visit the authority’s construction protocol page.
